By special invitation
from the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Beijing,
China), the International Academy of Clinical Acupuncture was asked to
arrange a delegation of chiropractic physicians to tour the clinics, hospitals,
research institutes, and universities to help promote the traditional
health care exchange between China and the United States.

Our delegation of chiropractors was overwhelmed as we toured the Shanghai
Research institute where serious research into He Ne laser, TuiNa and
QiGong are carried out on a daily basis. My very good friends Chung Shee
Hou, Dr. Ji Yi Xiou, and Professor Chen Han Ping (department heads of
administration, clinical sciences and research respectively) personally
conducted the tour.

One of the highlights
of the delegation was the experience of donning a surgical cap and gown
to witness an appendectomy under acupuncture analgesia. This gave us a
real appreciation of the extent the Chinese have developed their "non-drug"
modes of care.

Most of us were probably
as impressed, if not more so, when our delegation arrived at the prestigious
Shanghai Medical University and were met by Professor Fang You An (chief
of staff), Professor Chen Yemeng (head of research), and Professor Li
Sheng Chang (head of the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology-Institute
of Neurology). We were made to feel exceptionally special as three of
the most notable physician/professors in China stood by a specially prepared
sign welcoming the "American Delegation" to the university.

What followed was
an experience in itself, as Professor Chang lectured on pertinent neurophysiology
and its relation to chiropractic (which was the first time I had ever
heard the word "chiropractic" used in China). This was truly
a "ground breaking" event.

Besides the observations
of TuiNa (soft and hard tissue manipulation) acupuncture with a variety
of invasive and non-invasive modalities, touring the physical therapy,
herbal pharmacies, and clinical departments of both the Shanghai Research
Institute and the Shanghai Medical University, one of the most thrilling
experiences still awaited us in Beijing. Arriving in Beijing, we visited
the world famous Beijing Obstetric and Gynecology Hospital where each
year sees over 250,000 outpatients, 9,000 inpatients, and more than 7,000
babies delivered.

Waiting for our delegation
to arrive were directors Dr. Wu Lian Fang, and Dr. Huang Shing Hwah who
promptly gowned us in the appropriate cap, gown and footwear, and escorted
us to the operating arena where we were fortunate to experience a caesarean
section under acupuncture analgesia. By this time the 66 delegates as
well as myself were enthralled, overwhelmed, and visibly moved by what
we had just experienced.

The opportunity to
meet and exchange knowledge and ideas with the Chinese health care practitioners
was a true honor. It doesn't require any special training, just a sincere
desire on the part of any DC to share the power of chiropractic with the
rest of the world. This is an experience that every chiropractor in the
world should take advantage of.